Choosing the right water

Some micro-organisms that are harmless to adults can cause diarrhea or other illnesses in young children. That’s why the water you give your baby, whether in a cup or mixed in formula or purées, must always be good quality. Plus, it must not contain high levels of mineral salts.

If you are unsure of the quality of your water or if there is a public advisory against drinking or cooking with your water, do not give it to your baby. Give your baby water from some other source that has been recommended for babies (see table above).

If a public water advisory has been issued about your water (e.g., boil water advisory), follow the instructions provided.

Municipal tap water

Copyright: Geneviève Colpron

Geneviève Colpron

Water from municipal water supplies is subject to quality control. If water quality is not good enough for the water to be consumed, the public is immediately notified and recommendations are issued through various outlets: radio, newspapers, personal advisories, etc.

Private well water

You can use water from a private well (surface or artesian well) as long as recent tests show that it meets quality standards. If it is a new well, the water should be tested for chemicals and bacteria by a lab accredited by Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs. If you own a private well, it is recommended that you have your well water tested at least twice a year.

For the names of accredited labs in your area, visit ceaeq.gouv.qc.ca/accreditation/PALA/lla03.htm (in French only).

Tests can detect undesirable elements in your water (e.g., chemicals or microbial contaminants and bacteria such as E. coli).

In general, when concentrations of chemical substances in drinking water exceed allowable levels, you must use another source of drinking water, like bottled water. When a microbial contaminant is found in the water, you usually need to either boil and cool it before consumption or use another source of water.

For more information, visit environnement.gouv.qc.ca/eau/potable/depliant/index-en.htm.

If you have doubts about the quality of well water in your area, you can contact

• A local well digger
• Your municipality

For more information, contact

• The Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques branch responsible for your region
• Your local public health department
• A lab in your area accredited by Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs.

You can also visit quebec.ca/agriculture-environnement-et-ressources-naturelles/eau-potable/qualite-eau-potable/contaminants (in French only).

Bottled water

Only two types of bottled water are suitable for your baby.

Spring water comes from an underground spring and contains low mineral levels. It is tested twice for quality— once at the spring and again at the bottling plant. Spring water that is labelled “natural” has not been treated or modified in any way. That said, all spring water (with or without a “natural” label) is good for your baby. Generally speaking, water bottled in Québec is disinfected with ozone or UV rays to ensure its microbiological quality.

Non-mineralized treated water is tap water that has been filtered and purified to resemble spring water. It does not contain any added mineral salts.

Bulk water

If you drink bulk-packaged water, be sure to get it from a recognized or reliable location (e.g., a grocery store). To reduce the risk of contamination, the containers you use to collect bulk water should be washed in hot soapy water and rinsed well. In addition, be sure to follow the distributor’s instructions when filling containers.

Water coolers

If you use a water cooler, be sure to clean it regularly according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Also, be sure to keep the cooler spout very clean, as it can be easily soiled by children or adults with dirty hands or by pets.

Water treatment devices

Some people use home water treatment devices to make water potable or improve its aesthetic quality (taste, odour, colour). These devices must be certified. They must also be used and maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. It’s best not to give water treated with these devices to a baby under the age of 6 months.

Despite their effectiveness, here are a few known issues related to some of these devices:

• Water softeners increase the amount of sodium (salt) in the water.
• Charcoal filters (with or without silver) can increase the quantity of certain bacteria if they are not used, maintained, or replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Some of these devices can be difficult to clean.

If you use one of these devices for your family, in addition to cleaning it properly, you need to remember to change the filter or membrane regularly, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Water problems

Water can change colour, smell, and taste. Got doubts about the quality of your water?

• If you are connected to a municipal water supply, contact the municipality or waterworks operator.
• If you are connected to a private well, contact your local municipality, a local well specialist, or a laboratory accredited by Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques at 1-800-561-1616 or visit ceaeq.gouv.qc.ca/accreditation/ PALA/lla03.htm (in French only).

As a last resort, you can contact the regional office of the Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques or your regional public health department.